How to summarise 2022 in just a few photos? That’s what the Lens-Artist Challenge demands of us this week. What makes it so hard is that a memory is invested in every photo. My own favourite photos may demonstrate no particular skill, but can transport me – and not you – straight back to a treasured moment. Ah well, let’s give it a go, and see what I can find that we can all enjoy.
Let’s book-end the year with ordinary pleasures: Fountains Abbey in springtime, and in late autumn…
Let’s remember summer with – here – an extraordinary sight: Scar House Reservoir, almost unable to do its job of providing water.
Let’s have a look at happy moments: Ripon’s first Theatre Festival took to the streets, Masham’s annual Sheep Fair returned after a couple of years’ Covid-hiatus. And my family enjoys one of life’s simpler pleasures: curling up with a good book.
Memorable May: a fantastic few days in the Balkans: North Macedonia, Albania and Greece, to enjoy its wildlife. A very few photos stand in for the whole experience of this area, still in many ways rooted in its traditional past.
Shepherds on the move all day and every day. leading their sheep and goats in quest of pasturage.
… and not forgetting the stars of the show: peacocks at Lake Ohrid.
The header image shows Lake Prespa, and the island of Agios Achillios, where we spent a few days.
In Catalonia with The Barcelona Branch of the family, we had an unforgettable trip to what may be The World’s Best Museum, CosmoCaixa, Barcelona.
We’ll finish off with Christmas lights at Eltham Palace. It was so cold, no wonder my fingers slipped!
From Pyrenees to Pennines 
A beautiful collection of postcard memories and moments from 2022, stunning and each one full of story and beauty. Keep it up!
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Will try – thanks so much Claire.
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Fantastic photos! I enjoyed each one of them. I’m sure not nearly as much as being there but still wonderful. A great year captured well.
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Oh, thanks so much. As you know so well, memories form more than half of the picture in a family photo album, so it’s sometimes hard to be dispassionate.
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Quite a year, Margaret! That black and white of Lake Ohrid is wonderful, my other favourites your lovely family portrait of the readers and fun at Ripon. I like the angle you’ve taken that from. Aside from the other half, a good year for all? I suspect it’s been hard work for you but I love your playfulness. Hope ’23 flows smoothly.
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Believe it or not Jo, that B/W photo is in colour! It was a dull day, but dramatic. Not a bad year I guess, if you shut your eyes to politics at home and abroad. Like you, we try to make the best of it.
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😘💗
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A lovely round up of your year. As you say many photos are simply memories for you to enjoy. I thank you for allowing us to share some of those moments. Lovely images.
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Thanks Jude. It’s good that blogging gives us several chances to revisit bits from the recent past.
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Fabulous photos
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Thanks Sheree. It was good to hunt down a few souvenirs.
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I envy you that Balkan holiday.
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A good destination. Recommended: though not so much for the shopping 😉
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Perfect for me.
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I knew you’d say that;
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These are lovely. The first one made me feel that spring is on the horizon despite the gloom outside today.
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Oh yes. Spring flowers are definitely trying to get themselves started.
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With or without your memories that go along with them, sublime, Margaret.
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Oh, thanks so much Tracy. Glad you came along.
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It was my pleasure.
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As it often is, your photographs and thoughtful narrative tell a wonderful story of a year in the life of living fully while being present and engaged wherever you are. May 2023 be another such year. Peace.
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Thanks so much Clay – and all good wishes to you and your family.
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All marvellous pictures Margaret and, what I take to be a deliberate finger slip resulted in a great image! My favourite is the story book photo!
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Oh, how could that not be my favourite too? And if clumsiness is good, let’s embrace it! (I seem to have to)
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Your year in photos will certainly provide you with plenty of memories at your disposal. Beautiful gallery, Margaret. Love that peacock!
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Oh, that peacock was one of several. And they all knew they were the stars of the show!
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A lovely selection, full of good memories for you but also some for me – my own first visit to Fountains Abbey (but what a shame it was to miss you!) and my ‘vicarious and virtual’ visit to the Balkans via your posts 😀
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I think Lake Ohrid would make a good destination for you, Sarah, and I understand there are flights from City Airport. Just sayin …. But you’ll come to Ripon again, I hope!
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Yes hopefully, or somewhere in the area 😀
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Wonderful photos. That was quite a year. Loved that b&w shot of Orhid lake
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That seems to be a favourite … and it’s not even b/w, believe it or not!
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Even more impressive. That light must have been something to see!
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It was!
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A good year all round!
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Indeed. Though I only show the good bits, there weren’t too many bad ones.
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A fine visual itinerary, Margaret. I envy you your trip to northern Greece etc – where life is still the old normal (?)
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In many ways yes. But in Greece in particular, mask-wearing was de rigeur in a way I rarely saw elsewhere at that time. But in the main, it was a throwback to the old days. Whether Good or not, only they can judge!
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Lovely collection. I expect Scar House Reservoir is looking almost full now isn’t it after all the rain we’ve had. Or, perhaps you’ve been drier up your way?
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Well, I haven’t been back recently, but people tell me it’s surprisingly similar. The River Ure has more than bust its banks in town though.
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Yes, some of this heavy rain is very local isn’t it. My sister’s in Devon and she says North Devon has had a bucketful compared to where she lives in the Exeter area.
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Oh Margaret, what a wonderful look back at 2022 😀 😀
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It was. On the whole, a Good Year.
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Thoroughly enjoyed the vicarious visits to your world near home and your various travels Margaret. I love the image of what I assume is your son and grandchild reading – seriously, what could be better?!?! Also loved your opening image set and your “not B&W” skyscape. Wishing you much joy in the year ahead, and many more family visits.
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Thanks Tina. Good wishes and happy travelling to you too! Yes, post-pandemic there’s still a lot of family catching up to do (you’re right btw: son and grandson, reading a book son had when he was grandson’s age)
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That was a lovely wander through your 2022, many sights I remember. The reservoir looks so sad and I thought recent floods may have topped it a little. I too love the not B&W landscape and a sheep festival must be fun. More adventures please so I can travel from the office chair into the world 🙂
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You’re right Brian. There are untold adventures here. Maybe it’s time to dig some out. Thanks for the idea.
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Beautiful postcards, Margaret. If you send me your address, I’m happy to send you some German ones.
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Excellent postcards Margaret
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Thanks. It was fun choosing.
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Beautiful post cards, Margaret! Wonderful varieties of your selections. Love the Team-London especially!
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Of course I do too, but thanks for liking them the best!
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This is a great collection, Margaret. So many places encompassed
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For a post-Covid year, we were quite well-travelled.
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Indeed you were
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Oh Margaret these are beautiful… so please you captured my favourite place Fountains Abbey and added it in your collection. Here’s to a better New Year 2023.
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